Morning
Afternoon
Night life
This morning was an especially early one, as we had to make sure we were ready to leave the hostel at 7.30 to get the train to Tainan. A combination of this and having a small drink the night before of course resulted in a lot of sleepy Japies, but luckily the train provided enough comfort for a quick powernap (and accounting troubles for the participant unfortunate enough to pay for said drinks).
In Tainan, we visited the National Cheng Kung University, which is known for the excellent engineers, and more specifically its software engineers. At the university, we were greeted by the headmaster after which we got presentations from a total of six professors. Their research topics were about lithium batteries, functional nanomaterials, nanofiber composites, catalysts, biomedical polymers, and process system engineering. Halfway during the presentations, we were blessed with a short break that allowed us to chat with some of the professors and enjoy some iced black tea that we by now have become accustomed to. For some participants, this small amount of caffeine was a very welcome addition.
After the presentations, it was time for the lab tours. Here, we got to see some research, and Taiwans look on PPE, in action. Some students eagerly told us about their research, the most unique one being the gene-alteration of algea to absorb more CO2, a very sustainably focussed project. After we had lunch at the university, it was time to quickly change to our cooler free-time clothes in the bathroom (thereby possible scaring some students) and thank the presenters of the day. Unfortunately, we were only able to give two cans of stroopwafels instead of three as someone forgot theirs (hint he also forgot his shoes in the last hostel). Now we were ready to explore Tainan!
As with all things in Taiwan, things are rather loud and flashy. Tainan proved to be no different. Take the bus ride from the university to Fort Zeelandia for example, leaving us with limited hearing. Our destination, Fort Zeelandia, was an old trading fort characteristic for the fruitful Dutch-Taiwanese relationship, founded by the Dutch exactly 400 years ago. Now, what better way to celebrate this anniversary by singing the Wilhelmus, hand in hand, leaving the other tourists with a frown. The fort was conquered by an enormous Chinese fleet in 1661, under command of general Chenggong (Dutch: Koxinga, also having a statue at the fort). While the Japanese destroyed most of the original parts of the fort in their attacks, they did make an attempt to restore it. Some VOC logos and goodies could be seen at the location. Aside from that shop, the Oude Straat of Anping also proved to have some useful markets.
After taking the train back to Kaohsiung, trade was still apparently on people’s minds. Why? Well, all participants visited a Hot Pot restaurant. In here, various dishes had to be shared and soaked in a soup pot (yes, it’s in the name!). Spread out over three cozy, round tables, this turned out to be the perfect closure. Some stomachs were so full that we cannot accurately determine if they were walking or rolling back to the hostel, or, for some, to the arcade hall.
Written by: Pascal van Wijk & Joost Coppoolse
